The Mad Monk of Pentagon City inspired me to get a 'cross bike (Cannondale CAADX). Love it so far, after having been grinding around on a hardtail MTB with 2.25" knobbies for the past 8 or 9 months. I'll probably be sticking to pavement for a while (at least so long as it remains relatively clean), but I can certainly see how the gearing would allow you to manage steep muddy inclines, even with only a double ring up front.